When you think of preparing for an important job in the healthcare field, you might envision years of college, medical school, and residencies.
What if I told you there was a critical healthcare job that is available to learn online and, in some cases, you could study while already being in the workforce?
Becoming a sterile processing technician mixes low educational expectations with real-world training but without the high cost of a four-year degree or doctorate.
This isn’t a scam or an article that comes with a big “BUT”; sterile processing technicians are in high demand.
As a sterile processing tech, you would work in a sterile setting, cleaning and preparing medical tools for surgery and other procedures.
What’s more?
There are plenty of options in higher learning to get certified or get to work, whether you want that to take six weeks or a year.
Best Online Sterile Processing Technician Training Programs
Sterile processing technician programs run the gamut of being designed to pass the certification exam or giving additional learning up to an associate’s degree.
1. Purdue University
We can’t talk about the best online sterile processing tech jobs without mentioning Purdue University.
For nearly four decades, Purdue has worked hand-in-hand with the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association to prepare students for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician Exam.
All coursework is done at your own pace, with a year to complete it and an option to extend six months if needed.
The cost is $458 for continental U.S. students and $480 for those in Hawaii or Alaska.
That fee does come with the HSPA 9th Edition Sterile Processing Technical Manual.
Without books, the cost is $350.
The Purdue Sterile Processing Online Technical Training is designed to prepare students for the exam.
It does not include clinical work or assistance with internship placements to reach the goal of 400 hands-on experience required to get certification.
2. Herzing University
While Herzing University is based in Milwaukee, the Sterile Processing Program is offered online.
The diploma program lasts eight months, where you will earn 24 credits.
The online classes will last 300 hours, with 120 of those being lab hours.
Each credit costs $515, which is a total of $12,360.
The higher price for a diploma versus the Purdue certification program is due to the intensive coursework that goes far beyond just helping you prep for an exam.
However, it’s important to note that this diploma program at Herzing will include exam prep.
You will still need to obtain 400 hours of hands-on experience before you take the exam.
However, you can also look for employers that will hire you with the understanding that you will take the certification exam within six months of being hired.
Plus, Herzing also allows these credits to be used for other healthcare degrees, like the Surgical Technologist Diploma.
3. Penn Foster
Another online option for becoming a sterile processing technician is through Penn Foster.
Like Herzing University, this is a diploma program.
Unlike Herzing, the Penn Foster sterile processing program runs a shorter period, from two months to four months.
The sterile processing technician diploma program at Penn Foster earns you almost 20 continuing education credits through five courses.
There are 15 exams, and one report due before you are ready to take the CRCST exam.
Tuition at Penn Foster ranges from $899 to $1,199, with the lowest cost for those who pay in full.
There is also an option to pay monthly through auto-pay or mailed payments.
Those payments can be as low as $59 a month.
The online flexibility of the sterile processing technician program at Penn Foster allows you to start and learn whenever it works with your schedule.
Interactive educational tools are available around the clock.
4. SDSU Global Campus
As much as anyone would love to learn in the beautiful setting of San Diego, the SDSU Global Campus program for sterile processing is 100% online.
Prices are listed between $3,000 and $4,000, depending on available discounts at the time of enrollment.
Since the program is not for regular college credits, financial aid isn’t provided.
The SDSU sterile processing program is another self-guided option, which can be completed in 12 months.
Enrollment is always open since the course is done at your pace.
The program includes 190 course hours.
Assuming your account is in good standing, clinical hands-on experience is available.
At the end of the course, you’ll take the CRCST exam, and the exam fee will be included in the tuition.
The same program is available through NHTI Concord’s Community College, with pricing that might be a little more affordable.
The current displaced tuition is $2,795, but that can change by the time you enroll.
5. U.S. Career Institute
The Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program through the U.S. Career Institute is another self-guided course that takes anywhere from five to nine months.
Those who pay tuition in full will pay less than $1,000 ($979), and if you need a payment plan, the monthly rate is $69 for a total of $1,279. That does include the $140 CRCST exam fee.
Four educational units are taken during the sterile processing program through the U.S. Career Institute, including an intro to sterile processing, two units of fundamental skills, and a fourth unit for safety and practicum.
This program also offers a money-back guarantee if you change your mind after five days or less.
6. Americation Career & Training School
The online sterile processing technician training program through Americation Career & Training School is designed to last two months with an average weekly commitment of fewer than 13 hours.
With ongoing enrollment and courses starting on the 1st and 15th of each month, it’s easy to work the sterile processing online course into your schedule when it’s convenient.
Part of the coursework includes a virtual lab, giving the closest option to hands-on experience without having to leave home.
The lowest tuition for this program is $1,200 if you pay in full.
Other payment options are $189 every two weeks for seven payments totaling $1,323 total or $279 a month for five months, which is $1,395.
7. Sterile Processing University
Another interesting take on training to become a sterile processing technician is based on modules instead of a full curriculum.
Sterile Processing University offers online modules, which aren’t as robust as a class, with each covering several aspects of duties or medical learning.
With 32 modules, including the final exam, you can choose to pay $22 per module or pay in full for all of them at a cost of $704.
The entire program is self-paced with no time restrictions or costly extension fees.
While the final exam is not a certification exam, the modules can help prepare you to take a certification exam on your own.
8. The University of New Orleans
The sterile processing technician program at the University of New Orleans is offered entirely online, with a 264-hour program of eight courses that can take up to eight months.
The $3,199 program fee covers all materials, courses, and exam fees.
Payment plans are available, but expect one of those to cause the full tuition to increase.
As much as the course is offered online, you still get access to one-on-one support through phone calls, chat, or email with helpful educators.
I especially like that this program helps you learn the digital technology associated with working as a sterile processing technician and using online resources to help you find a job when you’re ready.
9. Health Tech Academy
Health Tech Academy offers a rigorous Online Sterile Processing Technician Bootcamp with 10 courses.
The Bootcamp lasts 16 weeks but still allows you to work at your own pace.
Individual coaching sessions and post-education support are available through mentors and career help.
The $3,450 tuition includes online books for learning and the national exam fee.
If you pay upfront, that price drops to $2,900.
Those who want a monthly payment plan can put down $250 and then pay up to $266 a month for a year.
Clinical requirements for the exam are solely the student’s responsibility under the Health Tech Academy program.
I especially like the job placement services, which include resume design, preparing for interviews, optimization for the LinkedIn page, and professional skill building.
Health Tech Academy states that students can be ready for a job in four to six months.
What Courses Are in an Online Sterile Processing Technician Program?
While each educational option for sterile processing is slightly different, there are similarities in the topics covered.
You’ll start with an intro to sterile processing, providing a foundation of the job requirements and an overview of sterilization tactics and their importance.
Medical terminology is another common course, where you’ll learn the names of various objects, chemicals, and tools used in surgery and during cleaning and sterilization.
Infection control and prevention are important aspects of being a sterile processing technician, as “clean” and “sterile” will take on a whole new meaning when it comes to stopping the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses.
Once you know the basics, courses will evolve to decontamination procedures, laws and policies about sterilization, how to handle instruments, and more complex sterilization requirements.
Other coursework includes learning how to package sterilized items, store and distribute equipment, and manage supplies.
I would recommend courses that include microbiology, anatomy, and physiology, too.
If you aren’t familiar with the hierarchy of hospital staff and management, look for programs that include that framework.
Knowing how hospital staffing works will be helpful in any job interviews.
Can You Earn a Sterile Processing Technician Certification Completely Online?
The question is a bit loaded, so let’s sort it out.
A certification program will get you as far as the official certification exam through nationally accredited agencies.
However, the top certifications require more than a passing grade on the exam.
You’ll need up to 400 hours of hands-on training, which can’t completely be done in a virtual setting.
You can earn a diploma program or complete an online sterile processing curriculum, but you won’t be able to get a formal certificate like the CRCST until you have completed your in-person experience as an intern, apprentice, or entry-level position.
How Long Does it Take to Earn a Sterile Processing Technician Certification Online?
Most programs are designed to take between two months and a year.
Keep in mind that the shorter programs usually have a less robust curriculum.
The year-long options will include more training and education while also allowing you to work on a diploma program.
Certificate courses are generally the shortest, as they are designed to prepare you for formal certification.
These are usually non-credit hours.
The longer courses could be applied toward a college degree, should you ever choose to go that route.
How Much Does an Online Sterile Processing Technician Certification Cost?
Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 for a certificate program or a diploma program.
If you’re going for an associate’s degree that includes sterile processing, costs could be upwards of $10,000.
As noted earlier, only courses that receive college credit will be available for financial aid or grants.
Most programs allow for payment plans, with monthly payments as low as $69, or the option to pay the full tuition, generally at a lower price.
Summary
Learning to be a sterile processing technician comes with flexible training in a variety of lengths and formats.
You can choose to learn just enough to take the national exams to get a certification, or you can get a more diverse educational experience in the healthcare field of sterile processing.
Taking online courses should only be approached with diligence and excellent time management, as some programs expire after a year or cost an additional fee for an extension.
You’ll need to have a strong internet connection, follow specific requirements for software (depending on the program), and stay focused on classes that aren’t happening in real-time.
The basic requirements for most programs include a high school degree or equivalent and proof that you are at least 18 years old.
Even though courses are online, most programs will require immunization records.
Check with your preferred programs for the required vaccinations.
One final note–look for employers near you who will help pay the cost or reduce the cost burden in exchange for a small commitment (usually a year) for your services.
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